Soren Peterson new Study Abroad Advisor at Berea College

Soren Peterson is the new Study Abroad advisor in the International Center at Berea College. He began the position in August. Peterson, who is proficient in Spanish as well as English, brings 10 years of experience promoting and managing study abroad programs in the United States and in Latin America. Peterson replaces Suzanne Kifer, who retired this fall after serving eight years as Study Abroad Advisor and the Center’s Assistant Director.Before joining Berea, Peterson was an independent educational travel consultant in Denver, Colo. Prior to that, he was associated with the Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI), a language school in Cuenca, Ecuador, working with university partners and students both in Ecuador and at CEDEI’s administrative offices in Arizona. Peterson also has been employed with study abroad programs at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and with Augustana College’s Summer Language Programs in the Andes from 1993-99.

An Iowa native, Peterson holds a B.A. in Geography from Augustana College and is expected to complete requirements for a Masters degree in Anthropology from the University of Denver this fall. His studies also include coursework in Spanish language and culture at the University of Iowa and the Centro de Estudios Interamericanos in Ecuador. His academic interests are the human geography and cultural anthropology of Latin America, and the anthropology of tourism.

Peterson and his wife, Marcela, who is from Ecuador, live in Berea.

Created in 1999, the Berea College International Center provides leadership and coordination for international programs which include study abroad, services for international students and scholars, on-campus activities and international faculty development opportunities.